The quick answer is YES! US residents can cruise without a passport to and from US port cities. While I highly recommend having a passport, there are situations where you may not be able to before your cruise sets sail.
If you are leaving from a US city and returning to a US city you do not need a passport (this includes US Territories like Puerto Rico). If you do travel without a passport be sure to understand how this can affect your travel if you were to have an emergency situation or miss your cruise while in port. I always recommend keeping copies of your travel documents on your phone and a physical copy printed out in your carry-on as well as one with someone at home just in case.
Places to Cruise Without a Passport from the US.
You won’t need a passport if you are traveling to any of the following: Alaska, The Bahamas, Bermuda, Cozumel, New England and Canada, The Caribbean, Hawaii, Baja, Mexico.
So what documents do you need if you don’t have a passport?
You need your boarding pass, a government photo I.D. (if 16 years of age or older) and a certified birth certificate or certificate of U.S. naturalization. If you are traveling with a minor under the age of 16, they will need an original, notarized, or certified birth certificate and their boarding pass.
If you are cruising without passports I do highly recommend a waterproof case to store your sensitive documents in similar to this one.
I hope you will consider getting a passport, it opens up so many wonderful options for travel! Having one can also save you time getting on and off the ship! The line to get back in through customs when getting off the ship can be much slower for those with Birth Certificate and Government ID.
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